Politics
Transmission line debate leaves Walcha farmers frustrated as single minister attends parliament debate
Sparse parliamentary attendance at a debate about proposed transmission lines from Walcha to Bayswater has left affected landholders disappointed.
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How we reported this
Hundreds of locals affected by a proposed transmission line corridor from Walcha to Bayswater expressed frustration after only one state government representative attended a parliamentary debate on the issue, according to community groups. Farmers and affected landholders had hoped the parliamentary forum would provide an opportunity to present concerns to multiple decision makers.
The proposed New England Renewable Energy Zone transmission line would cross private agricultural land, and over 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for the route to be moved to public land instead. For Central Coast and neighbouring regions dependent on agricultural exports and farming income, the proposal has raised questions about how major infrastructure decisions are made when they affect working farmers.
The poor parliamentary attendance suggests the issue has not yet gained the political traction that affected landholders believe it warrants. According to petition organisers, the fight to move the transmission corridor to alternative routes will continue to escalate, with implications for how state and federal governments balance renewable energy expansion against agricultural land use and farmer welfare in regional Australia.
Sources: nbnnews.com.au.